Kerrin McEvoy keen for more chances to bask in glow of rising star

It has been a little more than a year since Kerrin McEvoy had the chance to ride unbeaten Autumn Glow in a race.

He’s hoping he won’t have to wait as long next time, after he reunites with the brilliant four-year-old in the group 2 Theo Marks Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

Kerrin McEvoy rides Autumn Glow to victory in the Up And Coming Stakes at Rosehill on August 31 last year.Credit: Getty Images

McEvoy was aboard the Chris Waller-trained star in the Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill last year when she backed up a dominant win on debut with a two-length victory at group 3 level, carrying just 53 kilograms.

Top jockey James McDonald has since been aboard in Autumn Glow’s wins in the Tea Rose Stakes, Darby Munro Stakes and Toy Show Quality, which have been separated by setbacks with injury and illness.

Off a half-length win carrying 55.5kg on heavy ground in the Toy Show (1100m), Autumn Glow tackles the 1300m Theo Marks with 54kg.

The drop in weight paved the way for McEvoy to reunite with Autumn Glow, and he was hoping to make the most of the opportunity. Autumn Glow is on a path to the Epsom Handicap on October 4 at Randwick.

James McDonald rides Autumn Glow (left) to victory in the recent Toy Show Quality at Randwick, but the jockey will hand the reins to Kerrin McEvoy on Saturday.Credit: Getty Images

“She’s obviously a star on the rise,” McEvoy said. “She was good first up, and I’ve been able to sit on her a couple of times, and looking forward to getting on her on Saturday.

“She was brilliant that day [in the Up And Coming], so she’s the star of the card on Saturday for me.

“She’s got a massive stride, and she quickens and continues to quicken, and she’s got a good head on her shoulders, which is what good horses have. She is a powerful individual.

“She has obviously got bigger fish to fry later on in the spring, in a month or so, but it’ll be really interesting to see where she ends up.

“It’d be nice [to ride her in the Epsom]. She’s rated 105. If she wins on the weekend, I’m not sure what weight she gets in an Epsom, but hopefully you win on her and then you get a chance to ride her again.”

Autumn Glow is a $1.55 favourite with Sportsbet for the Theo Marks, where she has drawn barrier six.

McEvoy is aboard another last-start winner, Skyhook, in the group 2 Run To The Rose (1200m). The Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained colt shaded Grand Prairie, another ride for McEvoy on Saturday, first up in the listed Rosebud (1100m) but faces a tougher test.

“He’s always been a nice colt, and who’s to say he doesn’t enjoy going out a bit further in trip,” he said.

“I know we’re only over 1200 on the weekend, but the Golden Rose [1400m] might be right up his alley. He’s got to obviously meet the cream of the crop in the next couple of starts, but we’ll see where he’s at.”

Kerrin McEvoy takes Skyhook (right) to victory in the listed Rosebud at Rosehill on August 16. The pair will combine again in Saturday’s group 2 Run To The Rose.Credit: Getty Images

McEvoy also takes over from the suspended Tom Sherry on the Peter Snowden-trained Grand Prairie, which won the Up And Coming last start, in the group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality (1400m) on Saturday. He is $7.50 from gate 10.

“He’s a nice big horse, and he worked well on Tuesday,” McEvoy said.

“He’s drawn out a little bit, but last start he obviously went for a tight gap and was bumped around, so he might just appreciate a bit of space when it gets to the business end of the race.”

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He rides Ameena ($9), last year’s Silver Shadow Stakes winner, for Anthony and Sam Freedman in the group 2 Sheraco Stakes.

“She’s first up, but she’s had a bit of time to get ready because she was scratched there a few weeks ago,” he said.

“Hopefully the track stays on the better side of heavy. She worked well on Tuesday, she’s nice and bright, and she’s had a trial since she got scratched.”

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